Membership Meeting: Minutes
Thursday November 10, 2011 6:30 PM
Trinity Oaks Retirement Community
Second Floor, Special Events Room

The AAUW, Salisbury Branch met on Thursday November 10, 2011 at the Trinity Oaks Retirement Community at 6:30 PM in the Special Events Room.  Brunetta Franklin, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting. The following members were present: Brunetta Franklin, Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Holly Czuba, Nancy Bilson, Billie Simmons, Edith Alcorn, Greg Alcorn, Kathy Pulliam, Catrelia Hunter, Ann Medlin, Harriet Murphy, Linda Hauze, Carol Cody, Becky Hammill, Bonnie Hodges, Nicole Sherrill-Corry, and Judy Grissom. The following members were absent: Dixie Scott, Lori Eberly, Carolyn Blackman, Zebbie Bradley-Bondurant, Norma Goldman, Erma Scarlette, Elaine Stiller, Linda Kesler, Alyce Lanier, Renee McCachren, Lollie Streiff, Kathy Taber, Erma Scarlette, Jeannie Sherrill, and Donna Wiseman.

Guest was Patricia Long.

Brunetta congratulated Dr. Judy Grissom on being one of three finalists for state school superintendent of the year. Holly Czuba introduced her guest Pat Long from the Leadership Rowan Class.

Kathy Pulliam, Secretary, presented the minutes and they were approved as presented.

Nicole Sherrill-Corry introduced Linda Coplin, Community Coordinator for Family Crisis Council who gave the program entitled “Domestic Violence & Rowan Family Crisis”. She began her program talking about a young man named Toby who lived in a home that had lots of domestic violence. Growing up he had seen constant fighting and battering that ultimately led to Toby committing murder and being incarcerated in prison. Toby is Linda’s nephew and she told this story to let us know that domestic violence knows no boundaries and touches all races and socio-economic levels.

She asked the question “Why don’t women leave an abusive situation?” There are many reasons why women stay. One is that batterers exploit self-esteem and have power and control over an individual. Many women will be involved with drugs because it keeps things settled. Women will walk the streets because they are safer there than at home.

Linda stated that women want to be heard and believed and the domestic violence shelter provides a safe haven for this to happen. She said that a woman leaves home about 7 times and these are the most dangerous times for her as the batterer may try to come get her back. Many times she has left with nothing but the clothes she is wearing. The shelter provides basis needs and support for her and her children. Linda told of several success stories where women and their children have made totally new lives after living in the shelter foe a period of time and leaving the abusive home for good. A small community like Salisbury offers challenges since so many people know each other and their families. There are court advocates who help victims through the judicial system and Rowan County has a Batterers Intervention System that works with all forms of abuse such as emotional, physical, and mental. She said that there are more women coming in with mental health issues, which requires more advocates in this field. The Family Crisis Shelter appreciates any donation of supplies or monetary help as the need is always there for basic needs, etc. They can accommodate 25 at the shelter and if it is full then they try to connect with other nearby shelters to provide a safe haven for the woman. Linda ended the program by saying her nephew is doing well and has developed a talent for music while being incarcerated. Nicole thanked Linda for providing such an informative program and a copy of “Sketches of Old Rowan “was given to her.

Catrelia Hunter spoke briefly about the upcoming vote in Congress concerning the United States ratifying CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). We are one of 7 countries who have not ratified this. She had postcards for us to fill out encouraging our congressmen to vote for this law. The postcards were collected and will be sent to Congress.

Before the Business part of the meeting the refreshment break was held and Carol Cody and Kathy Pulliam provided the refreshments.

Business:

Education/LAF:

Holly Czuba gave a report on the LAF Update. Last fiscal year, AAUW disbursed $90,000 for case support and hopes to do about the same this year. AAUW stands alone in the financial support of gender-based workplace cases and highly regarded in the civil rights community for its work. She went over several most active current cases.

On Friday, November 25^th Salisbury Branch of AAUW will have an information booth during Downtown Salisbury Holiday Night Out. Holly and Brunetta will be there and any other volunteers would be appreciated. The Sketches will be sold for $20 each and the note cards for $5 each during this event.

Holly continued with the discussion of the upcoming project, the film screening of Miss Representation on January 21, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

Finance:

Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Treasurer, gave the report.  As per our Branch policies, $50 had been contributed to the Goldman Scholarship Fund and was reflected in the expenses.

Public Policy:

Eileen reported on three policies that asked members to take action on. They were the No Loopholes in Social Security Taxes Act (would lift the cap so the wealthiest 6% of Americans will be on equal footing with everyone else), Safe Schools Improvement Act (would strengthen schools’ ability and responsibility to combat sexual harassment and bullying), and Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

Membership:

Becky Hammill had information available for membership. Graduate school membership is $18.81. She reminded us that $46.00 of the $49 that we pay for membership is tax deductable. Becky also welcomed our most recent new member Linda Hauze. Linda reminded everyone of the Book Group that meets on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30. She encouraged folks to come.

New Business:

Brunetta reminded everyone of the covered dish meeting on Friday December 9^th at the Hidden Creek Clubhouse. Harriet and Watson Murphy would be hosting again. A sign-up sheet was passed around. Brunetta reminded everyone that donations for the Family Crisis Council would be collected at the December meeting along with monetary donations to the NCCWSL fund.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15.

Speaker | Eileen Hanson-Kelly

Meeting Minutes:

AAUW, SALISBURY BRANCH
AAUW: Since 1881 AAUW Salisbury Branch: Since 1951
Membership Meeting,
Thursday October 13, 2011 6:30 PM
Trinity Oaks Retirement Community
Second Floor, Special Events Room

The AAUW, Salisbury Branch met on Thursday October 13, 2011 at the Trinity Oaks Retirement Community at 6:30 PM in the Special Events Room. Brunetta Franklin, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting. The following members were present: Brunetta Franklin, Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Holly Czuba, Nancy Bilson, Billie Simmons, Edith Alcorn, Greg Alcorn, Kathy Pulliam, Harriet Murphy, Jeannie Sherrill, Linda Hauze, Carol Cody, Becky Hammill, Lollie Streiff, and Judy Grissom. The following members were absent: Dixie Scott, Lori Eberly, Carolyn Blackman, Kathy Taber, Zebbie Bradley-Bondurant, Norma Goldman, Catrelia Hunter, Ann Medlin, Erma Scarlette, Bonnie Hodges, Elaine Stiller, Linda Kesler, Alyce Lanier, Renee McCachren, Nicole Sherrill-Corry, Kathy Taber, Erma Scarlette, and Donna Wiseman.
Guests were: Mark Perry, Emily Yost, and Vicky Slusser.

Eileen Hanson-Kelly presented the program titled “Honoring the Legacy, Embracing the Future- Public Policy Changes Ahead” which dealt with the changes in this country toward women and girls and celebrating the legacy of AAUW and the Salisbury Branch. The following members- Brunetta, Carol Cody, and Kathy Pulliam helped Eileen out with a reading on the History of AAUW. It all begin with 17 like-minded women in 1881 who had defied society’s standards by earning college to now a membership of over 100,000 women who have influenced and shaped the debate over equity in education. The original title was the Association of Collegiate Alumnae and this group was instrumental in several causes such as endorsing the woman suffrage movement in 1918, and pay equity in US Civil Service jobs. In 1921 the merger of the Southern Association of College Women and ACA formed the American Association of University Women. Since 1921 many note-worthy events have occurred with AAUW support such as the establishment of the Education Foundation, the passage of Title IX, hosting National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), and promoting STEM projects (science, technology, engineering, math) for women and girls. The new AAUW slogan is “Because Equity is Still an Issue” and that in spite of great progress made in gender equity, issues remain and the need is still there. Eileen stressed that in 130 years we have a great history, made great accomplishments, and done great projects.

The program continued with Edith Alcorn presenting the accomplishments done by the Salisbury Branch since its establishment 60 years ago. Some highlights are: founding the Great Books discussions in cooperation with the Rowan Public Library and Delta Kappa Gamma in 1958, publishing the “Sketches of Old Rowan” by Aubrey Atkinson (artist) and George Raynor (script) in 1960, administrating the Goldman Scholarship in 1965, securing a Eleanor Roosevelt Teach Enrichment Sabbatical Fellowship in 1990, and offering monthly book discussions in 2003 and continuing today.

Carol stated that “NC AAUW History 1947-2001” by Clara B. Allen was an excellent resource for AAUW.

The final part of the program dealt with the Goldman Scholarship Fund with information provided by Norma Goldman via Mark Perry. This fund was established in 1965 with memorials from the community and Goldman family upon the death of Mrs. Helen S. Goldman. Gifts and memorials were made in later years following the deaths of Julius L. Goldman, Sylvia Goldman Feit, and Joe Goldman. The scholarship is administered by the AAUW, Salisbury Branch with the money being awarded to local young women for college tuition costs. The foundation board is responsible for this. The fund contains over $300,000 and from those funds 9 young women are receiving scholarships for 2011-2012. The scholarships are renewable each year.

Eileen summed up by saying that AAUW accomplishments are making a difference nationally as well as locally. There are still issues with equity in pay, women CEO’s in Fortune 500 businesses, and the number of women in Congress. These along with other items are reflected in the AAUW Federal Policy Agenda. As always, the foundation for the advancement of women and girls is education and this should always be a priority.

Before the Business part of the meeting the refreshment break was held and Edith Alcorn and Holly Czuba provided the refreshments.

Business:
Kathy Pulliam, Secretary, presented the minutes and made a correction. A motion was made by Harriet Murphy and seconded by Billie Simmons to accept the minutes as corrected. The motion passed.

Financial Report:
Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Treasurer, reported that the balance on hand was $3,702.30 in the checking account and $2,075.17 in the CD making our total $5,777.47 as of October 13. There was an income of $125.00 from dues and the expense was a check written for a scholarship to Morgan Grissom for $500.00. Brunetta reported that the Goldman Foundation Board had also agreed to send Morgan $500.00 as well.

Membership:
Becky Hammill said that there were 30 paid memberships in our branch and this was the report from national. Membership cards were given to everybody present.

Education/LAF:
Holly Czuba gave a brief review of the Spin classes at the YMCA. These classes are aerobic bike classes and Brunetta attested that you would certainly get a good workout with Holly leading the class. Brunetta encouraged other Y members to try it out. Holly also said she was in the process of setting up a website for Salisbury Branch and will send out the info later on.

New Business:
Brunetta gave an overview of the Mid-State Cluster meeting that was held in Statesville, NC at Mitchell Community College on October1, 2011. Regarding the Public Policy Pilot Program, each branch will adopt one state and national legislation issue to advocate for. We will act as lobbyists along side state representatives. There will be designated branch senders who will check websites daily such as Washington Update and then send emails out to branch receivers who will keep informal notes of what was either attempted or achieved regarding the issues and send out the info to branch members as well as state representatives to encourage them to vote for pertinent issues adopted by the branch. Eileen had agreed to be a sender and Brunetta along with Becky will be receivers. Brunetta asked everyone to consider our interests and decide at a later meeting our issues we want to adopt and if others would like to be senders and receivers. The NC Lit & Hist Awards were questioned as to whether NC AAUW wanted to continue with this. Presently a pewter cup is given to the recipient. It was suggested at the meeting that maybe an engraved crystal bowl be given instead as it is a nice way to award an author. UNCC has a small collection of the books and other libraries do as well. Brunetta suggested that we could have a sticker award to be placed on the books as they are presented to libraries here in Rowan County. NC AAUW Mini grants totaling $2,400.00 is available. Branches and members can request up to $500 and must be used to support AAUW mission. Five new members have been seated, which completes the slate of officers needed for the Nominating Committee.

NCCWSL will run May 31, 2012- June 2, 2012 at the University of Maryland. We have funds available to send two rising juniors in college. Brunetta encouraged branch members to get the word out and get young women to send in their applications.

Other business:
Since Harriet has moved, her house will not be available for use for the December Christmas Party. They do have a clubhouse at their new home and she could reserve the use of it but the date would need to change to Friday December 9th. Everyone felt this would be suitable but Brunetta would send an email out to everyone.

Eileen suggested that a phone tree would be a nice way to get in touch with absent members. A personal call letting a member know they were missed would maybe encourage them to attend. Those interested in doing this along with Eileen are Edith Alcorn, Billie Simmons, Harriet Murphy, Nancy Bilson, and Becky Hammill.

Brunetta thanked Ann Medlin along with any others who had a part in the putting together of the yearbook. She said she always receives positive comments about it when she attends state AAUW events.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15.